Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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131. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has received representations from an organisation (details supplied) regarding legislation introduced by the Turkish Grand National Assembly and approved by the health commission that will restrict the freedom of Turkey's doctors to practise medicine; if this matter has been discussed at EU level; if action has been taken by the EU on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49228/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have received the correspondence from the Irish Medical Organisation referred to.

The draft legislation in question is indeed a matter of concern, and we have noted the statements against the draft bill issued by the World Medical Association, the Standing Committee of European Doctors, and the Irish Medical Organisation. The principle that medical practitioners must be allowed to practice free of any political interference is one that must be respected in any democratic country, and particularly in an EU Candidate and key partner country such as Turkey.

As you are aware, the Irish Government, together with the European Union, continues to view the backsliding in Turkey with regard to freedom of media, human rights, rule of law and democracy as an ongoing cause for grave concern. This was reflected in the Conclusions on Enlargement adopted on 26 June last at the General Affairs Council, which found that Turkey has been moving away from the EU and that accession negotiations have, therefore, come to a standstill. Concerns were expressed, including by Ireland, about backsliding on the rule of law and fundamental rights and measures targeting journalists, academics, members of political parties, parliamentarians, human rights defenders, social media users, and others exercising their fundamental rights and freedoms.

While it is to be welcomed that in July the Turkish Government chose not to renew the State of Emergency that had been in place in the country, we echo the EU’s statement that the retention of a number of the State of Emergency’s restrictive measures may dampen any potential benefits brought about by its removal. Together with our European partners, and particularly following this non-renewal, we will continue to monitor government actions that undermine freedom of expression, democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights in Turkey.